Press Releases

Japan wholeheartedly welcomes the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to appoint Mr. António Guterres, former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. Having held prominent positions such as the Prime Minister of Portugal and the UNHCR, Mr. Guterres has both the competence and experience pertinent for the post of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Government of Japan is delighted with his appointment.

In addition, Mr. Guterres has been active in reinforcing Japan-Portugal relations as Prime Minister of Portugal, and has also established close cooperation with Japan during his term as the UNHCR, including through almost annual visits to Japan. Japan has held a series of fruitful discussions on the role of the UN with Mr. Guterres throughout the selection process of the next Secretary General, in which Japan has been engaging as a member of the Security Council.

The UN assumes an important role in various fields, including maintenance of international peace and security, development, climate change, disarmament and nonproliferation, and terrorism. Japan would like to cooperate closely with the next Secretary General in proactively contributing to address these global challenges and carrying out reforms of the UN, including the Security Council.

The Government of Japan also takes this opportunity to express its gratitude to the outgoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon for his contribution to the international community through his continuous efforts over the past ten years to resolve various international challenges including maintenance of international peace and security.